Grandma Dies Happily While Watching Son Win Bronze In Rio, Brazil.

2016 Rio Olympics: One of the medalists at the ongoing Olympic Games in Brazil got the most tragic shock of his life, a few moments after winning bronze. His grandmother died in Thailand while he was celebrating victory in far away Brazil.

Reports from Hello Magazine confirm that the 84-year-old grandmother of Thai weightlifter Sinphet Kruaithong collapsed and died on Monday while celebrating his bronze medal success in Rio.

Image shows Thai weightlifter Sinphet Kruaithong on his way to winning the bronze medal at Rio 2016 on Monday.

Subin Khongthap [the athlete’s grandma] was at a family viewing party in Thailand watching a live broadcast of her 20-year-old grandson take third place in the 56-kilogram division, the report said.

As shouts of joy and victory filled the air, Subin collapsed but regained consciousness shortly afterwards.

About five minutes later she was rushed to Chumphon Buri Hosital, but the excited aged grandma sadly passed away a short time afterwards, the Bangkok Post reports.

“The initial assumption is that she died from heart failure – but we have to wait for the hospital’s result,” Somwang Prangprakoan, a police office in northeastern Surin province, told the press. “I’m not sure if she was too excited, or if maybe she was already ill.”

Mrs Chan [Sinphet’s mum] reportedly said that while she was saddened by the sudden loss of mother, she was proud of her son for winning a medal. Her son’s victory in Brazil can serve as a consolation but never a replacement for the deceased. It’s a mixture of joy and pain.

Subin was one of her grandson’s biggest supporters.

Speaking to local press ahead of the start of Rio 2016, she spoke of her excitement at watching him compete. “I cheer him on, fight fight!” she said. “I miss my grandson and want him to be successful. He does this for the country to bring the gold medal back.”

Sinphet was the second Thai athlete to win a medal in Rio, following the gold secured by 21-year-old female weightlifter Sopita Tanasan in the 48-kilogram category on Saturday.